10
QUEENS WEEKLY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 QNS.COM
NYS Pavilion towers fi nally in line for a renovation
BY MARK HALLUM
The climax of “Men in
Black” (1997) would make
you think they are derelict
spaceships waiting
to be hijacked by extraterrestrials,
but they are actually
observation towers
adjacent to the New York
State Pavilion.
And this month, the
city will begin work that
has been in procurement
since 2015 to restore the
rusted monuments erected
for the 1964 World’s
Fair in the 1960s just as
Borough President Melinda
Katz’ office has
worked to redeem the
pavilion itself.
Up to $24,097,000 has
been secured from the
mayor’s office, the borough
president and City Council
to reconstruct “portions”
of the towers which will
be completed by the city
Department of Parks and
Recreation by March 2021, the
agency said.
The observation towers adjacent to the New York State Pavilion will have major renovations done in the first major investment since they were build for the
1964 World’s Fair. Photo: Mark Hallum/QNS
Parks will reconstruct
stairwells, fix drainage
features, restore suspension
cables as well as
concrete and the lighting
design. Waterproofing of
the tower bases will also
be completed.
While a groundbreaking
ceremony is in the
works – date to be announced
– this revitalization
project will not
give visitors the ability
to actually access the observation
towers as they
would gave done nearly 60
years ago, a Parks
spokeswoman said.
There will still need to
be further investment in
the integrity of the structure
before it is safe for
public access.
But the agency hopes
accent the skyline with
new lighting.
Designed by Philip
Johnson, the towers have
not seen any significant
investment since they
were built.
About $13.118 million
of the funds were allocated
by Katz’s office,
while $1.979 million from
City Council and $9 million
from the mayor’s
office also helped the
project along.
Turning 65 and ready for Medicare,
or eligible for Medicare and Medicaid?
Call AgeWell New York
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans
$0 or Low Cost Plan Premiums
Yes
Hours are 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Note: From April 1 to September 30, we may use alternate technologies on Weekends and Federal holidays. AgeWell New
York, LLC is a HMO plan with a Medicare and Medicaid contract. Enrollment in AgeWell New York, LLC depends on contract renewal. ATTENTION: If you do not speak English,
language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-718-696-0206 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios
gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-718-696-0206 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220).�� ������������������������������������������������������������
1-718-696-0206 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). Assistance services for other languages are also available free of charge at the number above. AgeWell New York complies with
applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of races, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. AgeWell New York cumple con las leyes federales
de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. AgeWell New York��������������������������������
��������������������������������������������������������H4922_YesMM4002_M Accepted 02162019
/QNS.COM
